While mainlines might be exposed, there isn't much reason to keep half dead weapon teams on field when you know there is ISU there.
This is true, but losing mainlines hurts just as much, so my point is still valid. And also weapon crews often need to defend in a fight against other units and will take damage.
You seem to think I want to buff ISU, while I am just portraying that we already have a much more potent AI units which are not as restricted and their performance is fine.
Basically, I'm pointing out hypocrisy.
Yes, there is range difference, but it never was an argument before when a unit overperformed.
Also, that example would hold any ground if soviets had some kind of stock ISU alternative, which correct me if I'm wrong - they most certainly do not have.
No I do not think this, my point is that you cannot compare the number of occurances of doctrinal vs nondoctrinal units and then draw a conclusion regarding their power level or balance based on that. Because, you know, doctrinal units are doctrinal while non-doctrinals are not.
This is what I was pointing out with my hyperbole example.
Oh it is possible to not hit its targets.
In fact, ISU does this quite often, because you know - LARGEST SCATTER IN GAME.
But people only register hits, completely disregarding the fact that unit was shooting for last minute without effect.
Unless you misspelled Brummbar, then yes, all of the shots will hit.
In fact, ISU hits almost always, because you know - LARGEST AOE IN GAME.
As I said, terrain elevation makes shots miss in weird and unplanned ways. I have actually posted data on ISU's AoE damage three weeks ago, please show me yours if you know better. A standing ISU shooting at a Volkssquad in sight will never completely miss it. This is how you should use an ISU. Misses mostly come from the fact that players fail to use hold fire correctly and the ISU shoots while moving to the frontline, which doubles all scatter values.
Contrary, on longer ranges, you can actually dodge a decent portion of the damage of Brummbär damage due to the long flight time. It's still a good unit, but claiming that the Brummbär never misses is wrong. It also takes way more effort aiming it. But as you said - people only register hits.